System for securing component leads to printed circuit boards

ABSTRACT

When operating a system embodying the invention, the operator sits in a convenient position with his knees beneath the conveyor carrying the printed circuit boards. The tools for bending, cutting and otherwise operating on the components leads are located above the operator&#39;s lap, secured to the conveyor support structure. When a circuit board reaches a position in front of the operator, the board stops, the various bending, cutting or other special tools move into position, and the operator inserts the components the leads of which will extend beneath the circuit board in alignment with the tools. The leads of some components are bent by being forced against the sloped surface of a tool while the components are being inserted by the operator. The leads of others are bent and, if needed, cut by machine operated tools, actuated by the operator, after the components are inserted.

The present invention relates to apparatus for permitting the efficientassembly of printed circuit boards and, more particularly, to apparatusfor processing, i.e., bending, cutting or otherwise operating on theleads of components placed in the boards.

It is often necessary manually to insert various components into printedcircuit boards during an assembly process. The boards may be on a longconveyor system with operators spaced along the length of the system.Each operator may be assigned a certain number of components which heinserts into holes at specific locations on the board. After the boardpasses the last operator, presumably with all of the components inplace, the leads extending through the circuit board are soldered to theprinted conductors on the underside of the board. This can beaccomplished by passing the board through a solder bath.

In a more modern approach to the assembly process, rather than using asingle conveyor system, a plurality of small conveyor loops may beemployed with a single operator station at each loop. The movement ofeach loop is under control of the operator of that loop and this permitsthe operators to work at somewhat different speeds. After an operatorcompletes the insertion of the components into a board and starts up theconveyor of the loop again, that board automatically transfers to thenext loop when it reaches the next loop.

A problem which is present in the systems described above is that duringmovement, either of the single long conveyor or movement of the boardsfrom one small loop conveyor to the following loop conveyor, thecomponents sometimes work their way loose, that is, the leads becomedisplaced from the holes in which they were inserted, permitting thecomponent to fall out. The missing component may not be detected untilafter the soldering process is completed. The board, of course, will notoperate properly with any of the components missing so that the boardhas to be reworked. This is a costly process and may involve the manualremoval of solder from holes in the board in addition to there-insertion of a component and the soldering of that component inplace.

It is preferable after a component is inserted in a board, that it besecurely held in place. This can be accomplished by the operator bybending and, if needed, cutting and otherwise "processing" the leads ofthe components which extend from the underside of the board after eachcomponent is inserted. The apparatus for performing such functions undercontrol of the operator may be relatively bulky and may occupy asignificant portion of the space beneath the conveyor. This prevents theoperator from sitting in a convenient position, that is, with his kneesbeneath the conveyor. If the operator is seated in a less convenientposition, he has to remove the circuit board from the conveyor, thenmanually insert the components and process their leads, and then he mustreposition the circuit board on the conveyor. This is slow, relativelyinefficient, and therefore relatively expensive.

When using apparatus embodying the present invention, the operator sitsin a convenient position with his knees beneath the conveyor. Theapparatus for bending and/or cutting and so on, the leads of componentsplaced in the printed circuit board is located in the space between theoperator's lap and the underside of the printed circuit board. Theapparatus includes a tool supporting structure and tools secured to thestructure including elements which align with the leads of thecomponents when they are inserted into the board. The tool supportingstructure is caused to move from a first position beneath and spacedfrom the circuit board to a second position adjacent the board. When inthe second position, the leads of the components may be processed asthey are placed in the board.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is an end sectional view through an apparatus embodying thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the apparaus of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 2 taken alonglines 2--2,

FIG. 4 is a sectional view through one of the pistons of FIG. 2 taken onlines 4--4 of FIG. 2,

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along lines 5--5 of FIG. 2,

FIG. 6A is a side sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 2 taken alonglines 6--6,

FIG. 6B is a plan view of the device of FIG. 6A (with plate 40 notpresent),

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the device of FIG. 2 taken along lines7--7,

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the lead forming tool of FIG. 7,

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a lead forming device taken along lines9--9 of FIG. 2,

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the cutting head of the device of FIG. 9, and

FIG. 11 is a side view of the cutting head of the device of FIG. 9.

In FIG. 1 a printed circuit board conveyor 10 is mounted in spacedrelationship with respect to floor 12. This conveyor, in the form of asmall loop, may be one of a large number, such as 20 or more such loops(not shown) spaced end to end. Each loop is under control of a singleoperator 14, shown seated at the assembly station of that loop, withlegs 16 beneath the conveyor. Means, not shown, are provided forautomatically transferring circuit boards from a preceding loop of theconveyor system to the one shown in part in FIG. 1, and from the oneshown to the succeeding loop of the system. As these are not directlyinvolved in the present invention, they will not be further described.The conveyor 10 transports a printed circuit board 18 in a directioninto the drawing. When the board reaches the operator's position (theassembly station) a microswitch is actuated by the board and theconveyor (and board) automatically stop. Immediately therewith anunderneath apparatus moves upward until its forming tools (to bedescribed later) simultaneously contact the underneath side of theprinted circuit board. The operator then manually inserts components,such as resistors, capacitors, and other electrical devices on the uppersurface of the printed circuit 18.

The leads of the components, as will be shown, pass through variousinsertion apertures in the circuit board and are in alignment withvarious tools of the apparatus at the operator's station, indicatedgenerally by the arrow 22. The tools are for bending, cutting andotherwise operating on the parts of the leads extending beneath theunderside 20 of the printed circuit board 18. The apparatus 22 ismounted to the conveyor 10 in a stationary position just above theoperator's legs 16 at the assembly station.

In operation, the conveyor 10 transports the printed circuit board 18 inthe direction into the drawing. As already mentioned, the conveyor loopshown in part is under the control of one operator who is seated asshown in FIG. 1, and this is the only operator for this loop. When theconveyor moves the circuit board in front of the operator and inalignment with certain tools (such as shown in FIGS. 6-11 which arediscussed later), switch 23 (FIG. 2) mounted on the conveyor supportstructure senses the board 18 position and stops the conveyor and theboard 18 in the desired position. This switch 23 also operates theapparatus 22 to place its tools in a lead bending and operating positionas discussed later. This action also accurately aligns the tools withthe board 18 at this time by inserting guide pins (not shown) in guideapertures (not shown) in the board. The operator then inserts thecomponents in the stationary circuit board while the board remains onthe conveyor. The leads of the components extend beneath the undersideof the board and align with slots, blades, etc., of the various tools,designated by arrow 22, as discussed later. Certain of the leads engagesome of the tools and become bent in response to the manual forceexerted by the operator when he forces the component into position. Withrespect to other of the components, after each one is inserted, theoperator holds that component in place while actuating a first controlbutton (not shown) which operates the rotary solenoid actuated tools ofthe apparatus 22. Such a tool, for example, may cut and bend the leadsof the held component, that is, portions of the leads passing throughthe underside 20 of the printed circuit. This and other operations arediscussed later. After the "processing" of the leads of all of thecomponents inserted by a particular operator, he actuates a secondcontrol button (not shown) to place the apparatus in an idle position,that is, to lower plate 40, as will be described in more detail, and athird control button (not shown) to start the conveyor moving whichbrings the next printed circuit board into position and which moves thecompleted circuit board to the succeeding conveyor loop (not shown).

Conveyor 10 comprises two facing elongated channel members 24 and 26.Members 24 and 26 extend into and out of the drawing. Member 24 isadjustable (by means not shown) in a direction to the left and right ofFIG. 1 to provide close spacing between board 18 and members 24 and 26.These members serve to guide and align the board 18 in the desireddirection. A minimum clearance is provided with the board to permit itto be carried by the conveyor. Members 24 and 26 are supported on thefloor 12 by supports (not shown). Mounted adajcent each channel member24 and 26 are respective sprocket driven conveyor chains 28 and 30 whichrun horizontally parallel to the floor 12. Drive sprockets, drive motorsand related drive apparatus drive the chains 28 and 30. Such driveapparatus is well known and need not be described in detail herein.Printed circuit board 18 rests on the upper surface of the chains 28 and30. Resiliently urging the printed circuit board 18 against the uppersurfaces of the chains 28 and 30 are a plurality of cantilevered springs32-37, FIG. 2.

The springs 32-37 are identical. Each is arcuate in end view, as shownin FIG. 3, and is mounted at one end to the upper surface of a channel24 or 26, associated therewith. The springs permit the printed circuitboard 18 readily to move with the conveyor in the direction 38 andprovide sufficient resilient force against the upper surface of theboard 18, in a downward direction, to hold the board in place.

In FIG. 3, the apparatus 22 comprises a rectangular plate 40, mountedfor vertical displacement in the directions 42 on two air cylinders 44and 46, described in detail later, at opposite ends of the plate 40. Theair cylinders 44 and 46 are mounted respectively on cross braces 48 and50. Braces 48 and 50 rest on the inner surface of the lower legs 52 and56, respectively, of the channel members 24 and 26 and may be welded,bolted or otherwise fastened to the legs. The cylinders 44 and 46 arepreferably air operated devices as will be explained in more detail inconnection with FIG. 4. Other devices which may provide the desiredmotions in the limited space between the legs 52 and 56 and theunderside of the printed circuit board 18, may be used instead.

This limited space, which may be about 4 inches in height, must providesufficient clearance for the passage of the printed circuit board forthe lead processing apparatus, and for the bending, cutting and otherprocessing of the component leads when the apparatus is operated. It isimportant that the apparatus does not extend below the channel legs 52,56 because if it did, it would interfere with the legs 16 of theoperator. Therefore, any solenoids used in place of the air operatedexemplary cylinders 44 and 46 would have to fit within the limitedclearance space available. Additionally, its bulk would have to besufficiently small to permit the displacement of the operating mechanismfor the purpose of trimming and deforming the leads as will beexplained.

In FIG. 4, the printed circuit board 18 is shown to have a capacitor 57and a resistor 38 mounted thereon by way of example. The plate 40 isshown in its actuated upward position spaced from and beneath theprinted circuit board 18. The forming tools of FIGS. 6A, 6B, 7-11 are incontact with the component leads projecting through the under side ofthe board.

Cylinder 44 comprises an inverted metal cup 60 having a centrallydisposed guide aperture 62. Peripheral flange 64 is secured to the barce48 by screws 66. Inverted thin walled, flexible rubber cup 68 is mountedconcentric with the cup 60. Cup 60 and rubber cup 68 are generallycircular. They could have other shapes instead. Rubber cup 68 has aflange 65 coextensive with flange 64. Flange 65 is compressed betweenflange 64 and brace 48 to form a seal therewith. Cup 68 has an upperwall integral with the cylindrical side wall 72. The side wall 72 is inphysical contact with the side wall 74 of the outer cup 60. An upwardfacing bight 76 connects the wall 70 to the side wall 72.

Mounted on the upper surface of the wall 70 is a metal element 82 whichhas an annular groove 84 for receiving a compression coil spring 86.Spring 86 urges the element 82 against the wall 70 in the downwarddirection 88 with respect to wall 90 of cup 60, the walls 74 and 90being rigid. Mounted to the central part of the element 82 is upstandingpost 92 secured at its upper end to plate 40 by screw 94. Air inletconduit 96 is in fluid communication with the volume 98 between the cup68 and brace 48. Conduit 96 is connected to a source (not shown) ofpressurized air.

While the conveyor is operating and the board moving, the element 82 isin its lowermost position (not shown) in response to the pressure ofspring 86. The air pressure in the volume 98 at this time is ambient airpressure. After the conveyor is stopped and before the operator hasinserted the components, the switch 23 (FIG. 2) causes pressurized airto be supplied to the volume 98. This causes the wall 70, element 82 andplate 40 to be displaced upwardly in direction 80 toward the printedcircuit board 18 as shown in FIG. 4 overcoming the force of spring 86.

The cylinder 46 is identical to cylinder 44.

Located at the four corners of plate 40 are guide assemblies 100-103.The assemblies 100-103 are identical and only one will be described. InFIG. 5 assembly 100 comprises a guidepost 104 which is screwed at itsupper end to a washer 106. Screwed to plate 40 is a bearing assembly108. The balls of the bearing assembly 108 rests against the post 104 toprovide relatively frictionless motion for the guidepost 104 as thebearing assembly moves in directions 42. The guidepost 104 is secured inaperture 105 in sleeve 110, which is screwed to brace 48.

When the plate 40 is caused to move in directions 42 by operation of thecylinders 44 and 46, plate 40 and the bearing assembly 108 move up anddown vertically over the guidepost 104 which remains fixed. In FIG. 5the plate 40 is shown at its uppermost position against washer 106 whichacts as a stop for the plate 40. This controls precisely the upwarddistance traversed by the plate 40 in performing its function.

Mounted to plate 40 are a plurality of lead bending and trimming devicesas illustrated in FIGS. 6A through 11. These devices bend and trim,where applicable, leads of electrical components to be inserted inapertures in the board 18. The components are inserted by the operatormanually.

Guide pins (not shown) are secured to the upper surface of plate 40 andare adapted to be inserted in guide apertures (not shown) in the circuitboard 18. When the board 18 is stopped by switch 23 and plate 40 movesto its upper position, these guide pins are aligned with and areinserted in the guide apertures of the board 18 by the vertical movementof plate 40. This action accurately aligns the component lead aperturesin the board 18 with the bending and trimming devices secured to plate40.

FIG. 6A illustrates a capacitor lead bending device. The cylindricalshaft 112 is screwed to the plate 40 by way of flange 114. Flange 114has elongated slots 116 and 118 for orienting the device. The upper endof shaft 112 has two diametrically opposite tapered grooves 120 and 122.Grooves 120 and 122 serve to receive the vertically oriented downwarddepending leads of the capacitor 124 and deflect the leads radiallyoutwardly as they are being inserted by the operator and as shown inFIG. 6A by means of sloping surfaces 126 and 128 on the base of therespective grooves 120 and 122.

In operation of the device of FIG. 6A, after the plate 40 is traversedupwardly in the direction 80 to the position shown, the leads of thecapacitor 124 are inserted in the printed circuit board and engagedesignated holes in the grooves 120 and 122. The force exerted by theoperator causes the leads to travel along the sloping surfaces 126 and128 and to become bent outwardly, as shown. The leads of these and allother components which are processed in this way are relatively thinwires which are easily bent by manual force.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate an apparatus for bending the thicker leads of acan-type transistor against the circuit board underside surface. Itincludes an upstanding bearing post 130 secured to plate 40 by screws. Arotary solenoid 132 is mounted on the lower end of post 130. Passingthrough post 130 and solenoid 132 is the solenoid shaft 134 which has alead deforming end 136. The shape of end 136 is shown in more detail inFIG. 8. End 136 comprises a cylinder with four diagonally oppositeU-shaped slots 138. A small boss 140 protrudes above the end 136 toprovide spacing 141 to the circuit board underside.

A three or four leaded transistor 142 is inserted in the printed circuitboard 18 by the operator at the assembly station of FIG. 1. The leadsfrom the transistor 142 are relatively long and extend downwardly instraight lines. Each lead from the transistor 142 is aligned with aseparate, different slot 138 with the plate 40 in its uppermostposition.

Upon actuation of the cylinders 44 and 46 of FIGS. 2 and 3, prior to theinsertion of transistor 142 in board 18, the plate 40 is raised indirection 80 to the position of FIG. 7, forcing the boss 140 at end 136in abutment with printed circuit board 18 spacing the end 136 from board18 at 141. The operator inserts the transistor, holds it in position,and then presses a control button (not shown). This causes a signal tobe applied to the rotary solenoid 132, which rotates the shaft 134 andtool end 136 approximately 45°. The tool end 136, when it rotatesthrough 45°, bends the leads in the slots 138 against the underside ofboard 18 as shown in FIG. 7 forcing the bent lead ends 143 into thespace 141. The solenoid automatically returns to its starting positionimmediately after reaching its 45° rotation position.

In FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 is shown a capacitor lead trimming and bendingdevice. Bearing post 152 is mounted to plate 140. A rotary solenoid 154is mounted to the lower surface of the bearing post 152. Rotary solenoidshaft 156 is inserted in the bearing aperture of post 152 and rotarysolenoid 154. A lead bending and trimming tool 158 is mounted on theupper end of shaft 154. The tool 158 is shown in more detail in FIGS. 10and 11. The tool 158 is a disc-like member with two cutting edges 160and 162 formed by a tapered wall 164 which tapers from the upper surface166 to the lower surface 168 of the disc. The cutting edges 160 and 162form with side walls 170 and 172 V-shaped oppositely disposed grooves inplan view for receiving the leads 174 and 176 of capacitor 150.

With the plate 40 in its upper position, the capacitor 150 whose leadsare to be trimmed is inserted into printed circuit board 18. The leads174 and 176 are relatively long straight members at this time. Lead 174is inserted in the holes in the printed circuit board and into thegrooves in post 152. Just beneath the cutting edges 160 and 162 in thepost 152 are a pair of grooves or holes 180 and 182 which receive theleads 174 and 176 respectively. The grooves or holes 180 and 182 extendradially outwardly and downwardly from the tool 158 position.

In FIG. 9, the leads 174 and 176 extend into the grooves 180 and 182adjacent to cutting edges 160 and 162 of tool 158. In operation, whilethe operator is holding capacitor 150 in place to prevent it from beingejected from the board in response to the cutting operation, he pressesa control button. This causes a control signal to be supplied to therotary solenoid 154 and it rotates the tool 158 about the axis ofrotation 163 of shaft 156 approximately 90° (and then returns it to itsoriginal position) cutting the ends of leads 174 and 176. Preferably allthe rotary solenoids are actuated by a common control button. Taperedwall 164 of the cutting edge bends the leadover against the printedcircuit board as the tool 158 is rotated approximately 90°. The tool 158is then automatically rotated in the reverse direction to its startposition. This reverse action is conventional in this type of solenoid.Cutting edges 160 and 162 form a scissor-like action with the uppersurface 190 of the bearing post 152.

The tools of FIGS. 6A, 7 and 9 represent basic tools for bending and/orcutting the leads of most electronic components. While capacitors andtransistors are illustrated, the leads of resistors, coils and othertypes of components can be processed in the same way by the devicesillustrated. These devices may be custom made for each particularcomponent, that is, for each kind of lead and each spacing betweenleads. For example, for long resistors in which leads are spacedrelatively long distances apart, a tool specially designed for thatresistor may be constructed and attached to plate 40 at the locationcorresponding to that resistor. A universal assembly may be made byassembling a variety of lead bending devices similar to those shown inFIGS. 6A, 7 and 9 to the plate 40 at various predetermined positionsthereon. In the alternative, the devices of FIGS. 6A, 7 and 9 may beattached to a plate 40 for a given printed circuit board componentlayout and a new assembly constructed for each different kind of circuitboard. It should be remembered that a printed circuit board of the typeconcerned is produced in large quantities making it economical tospecially build a tool for that printed circuit board.

The tools for FIGS. 6A, 7 and 9 have relatively short dimensions in thevertical direction to fit the 4 inch space discussed above. Whileparticular tools have been illustrated in connection with FIGS. 6A, 7and 9, it will occur to those of ordinary skill that tools of theseshapes may be used for components with different lead configurations.

For example, transistors with three leads or components with more thanfour leads may also be bent with the suitable tools appropriatelydesigned to fit those leads.

What is claimed is:
 1. In an apparatus including conveying means forsupporting and transporting a printed circuit board, apparatus forprocessing leads of components inserted in apertures in said board whileon said conveying means and positioned over the lap of an operatorcomprising:support means, vertical displacement means mounted on saidsupport means, a horizontal member mounted on said displacement meansfor displacement in a vertical path, component lead processing meanssecured to said member, and displacement means operating means fordisplacing said member and said processing means toward said printedcircuit board with said processing means aligned with said apertures,said support means, displacement means, member and processing meanshaving a maximum vertical height of a few inches below said circuitboard, said processing means including lead cutting means for trimmingsaid leads, and said cutting means including a bearing member mounted tosaid horizontal member, a rotatable shaft within said bearing member,drive means for rotating said shaft in opposite angular directionssecured to the bearing member while said processing means is displacedtoward said printed circuit board, and a straight edge lead cutting andbending means on an end of said shaft and rotatable therewith forrotating said straight edge cutting and bending means in a plane normalto said shaft and parallel to said board.
 2. In an apparatus includingconveying means for supporting and transporting a printed circuit board,apparatus for processing leads of components inserted in apertures insaid board while on said conveying means and positioned over the lap ofan operator comprising:support means, vertical displacement meansmounted on said support means, a horizontal member mounted on saiddisplacement means for displacement in a vertical path, component leadprocessing means secured to said member, and displacement meansoperating means for displacing said member and said processing meanstoward said printed circuit board with said processing means alignedwith said apertures, said support means, displacement means, member andprocessing means having a maximum vertical height of a few inches belowsaid circuit board, said processing means including lead cutting meansfor trimming said leads, said cutting means including a horizontallyrotatable disc member with at least two oppositely disposed V-shapedgrooves and a horizontally oriented substantially straight cutting edgeformed by a side wall of each groove, said side wall tapering from saidcutting edge of said wall to the opposite edge of said wall, said discbeing rotated in opposite directions while said processing means isdisplaced toward said printed circuit board.
 3. In a system whichincludes conveyor means for transporting in a horizontal directionprinted circuit boards which include holes into which it is desired toinsert the leads of circuit components and then bend, cut or otherwiseoperate on the portions of these leads which extend through the board,the improvements which comprise:conveyor means, a tool supportingstructure mounted to the conveyor means which is capable of movingbetween a first position beneath and spaced from the circuit board, whenthe latter is on the conveyor means, to a second position substantiallycloser to the circuit board when the latter is on the conveyor means,the tool supporting structure being located vertically within severalinches from said conveyor means, and tools secured to the toolsupporting structure, also within said several inches from said conveyormeans, the tools including elements which align with the component leadholes, when the board is on said conveyor means, whereby when said toolsupporting structure is caused to move to its second position and theleads inserted in the holes, the leads engage the tools and the toolscan operate on these leads, one of said tools including a bearing membermounted to said support structure, a rotatable shaft within said bearingmember, drive means for rotating said shaft in opposite directions insaid second position secured to the bearing member, and lead trimmingand bending means on an end of said shaft.
 4. In a system which includesconveyor means for transporting in a horizontal direction printedcircuit boards which includes holes into which it is desired to insertthe leads of circuit components and then bend, cut or otherwise operateon the portions of these leads which extend through the board, theimprovements which comprise:conveyor means, a tool supporting structuremounted to the conveyor means which is capable of moving between a firstposition beneath and spaced from the circuit board, when the latter ison the conveyor means, to a second position substantially closer to thecircuit board when the latter is on the conveyor means, the toolsupporting structure being located vertically within several inches fromsaid conveyor means, and tools secured to the tool supporting structure,also within said several inches from said conveyor means, the toolsincluding elements which align with the component lead holes, when theboard is on said conveyor means, whereby when said tool supportingstructure is caused to move to its second position and the leadsinserted in the holes, the leads engage the tools and the tools canoperate on these leads, said elements including means for bending andtrimming leads, of components, said means for trimming including arotatable disc member with a pair of V-shaped openings for respectivelyreceiving a pair of leads, a straight cutting edge on one wall of eachsaid openings for trimming said pair of leads when the disc member isrotated, and means for rotating said disc member in opposite directionsto sever the ends of said leads while said structure is in said secondposition.
 5. In a system which includes conveyor means for transportingin a horizontal direction printed circuit boards which include holesinto which it is desired to insert the leads of circuit components andthen bend, cut or otherwise operate on the portions of these leads whichextend through the board, the improvements which comprise:conveyormeans, a tool supporting structure mounted to the conveyor means whichis capable of moving between a first position beneath and spaced fromthe circuit board, when the latter is on the conveyor means, to a secondposition substantially closer to the circuit board when the latter is onthe conveyor means, the tool supporting structure being locatedvertically within several inches from said conveyor means, and toolssecured to the tool supporting structure, also within said severalinches from said conveyor means, the tools including elements whichalign with the component lead holes, when the board is on said conveyormeans, whereby when said tool supporting structure is caused to move toits second position and the leads inserted in the holes, the leadsengage the tools and the tools can operate on these leads, one of saidelements including a rotatable disc having a set of slots each having alead cutting edge for receiving a plurality of component leads, saidslots extending toward the center of the disc, from the peripherythereof, and drive means for rotating said one elements in oppositedirections after said supporting structure is moved to its secondposition.
 6. A component lead cutting and bending tool comprising:ashaft, a disc-like cutting member secured to the end of the shaft, saidshaft for rotating said member in the plane of the disc about the shaftaxis, said member being formed with at least one opening thereinextending between the periphery and the center portion of the member,the opening being defined by two walls, one of said walls being taperedto form a straight cutting edge at one surface of the disc-like member,said edge extending between the center portion of said member to, andterminating at, the peripheral edge of said member, said tapered wallbeing sufficiently thick to engage and bend a cut lead, a support havingan anvil surface abutting said one surface of said disc-like member,said support having at least one opening therein located to receive alead to be cut which is placed in the opening of the disc-like member,and means for rotating said shaft in one angular direction immediatelyfollowed by rotation in the opposite direction and thereby said membersecured thereto about said axis, whereby said cutting edge engages saidanvil surface and said tapered wall engages said lead as said memberrotates to cut and bend said lead in the one direction.
 7. The tool ofclaim 6 wherein said member has circular outer edges and includes aplurality of like lead cutting edges, said support having a likeplurality of lead receiving openings in said anvil surface.
 8. The toolof claim 6 further including projection means on said member centerportion projecting in a direction away from said anvil surface, saidprojection means for spacing the disc-like member from the surface of aboard which mounts elements having leads to be cut which extend fromsaid board surface.
 9. The tool of claim 6 further including at leastone additional opening in the disc-like member of the same shape as thefirst-mentioned opening, each disc-like member opening being of V shape,the nadir of the V being at the center portion of the member, eachopening having a corresponding straight cutting edge, and said anvilsurface having a corresponding plurality of lead receiving openings inpositions corresponding to the positions of the openings in saiddisc-like member.